The White Building of The Gorgas Memorial Laboratory

The Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, known in Spanish as Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas, was founded by president Dr. Belisario Porras in 1921 as an honor to his collegue Dr. William Crawford Gorgas, who eradicated the deadly yellow fever in the Isthmus of Panama.  Without the contribution of Dr. Gorgas, the Panama Canal would not have been accomplished.

The building was inaugurated in Panama City in 1928 and was under the administration of the United States until year 1990 under the name of Gorgas Memorial Laboratory (Laboratorio Conmemorativo Gorgas).

In 1990 the facilities were turned over to the Government of the Republic of Panama, specifically to the Ministry of Health.  In 1994, its name was changed to Centro Conmemorativo Gorgas de Información e Investigación. Its research on tropical diseases is notorious in the region.

Below are several pictures of this historic building which I consider one of the most captivating buildings in Panama.  I have avoided writing anything in the caption section.  The pictures speak by themselves.  Enjoy beauty.

 

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

 

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This photo gallery combines colors (white and green), vertical lines and an exquisite architectual style.  While I was preparing this post, I was listening to Calm Internet Radio which broadcasts exclusively piano and guitar classical music.  The mix of images and music was absolutely enlivening, in search of a more powerful English word.  Enjoy the rest of your day.  Remember that the most important day of your life is Today.

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The White Elephant of Panama

The Santo Tomás Hospital (HST) is the oldest hospital in this small Central American nation.  Its foundation dates back to the 18th Century—specifically to 1703.  HST is a public hospital under the administration of the Panama Ministry of Health.

The first written mention of HST was on April 11, 1703, in a letter written by Juan de Argüeyes, the Bishop of Panama City, to King Phillip V of Spain, in which he told him about a hospice he had founded in Panama.  This hospice had been working since the day of Saint Thomas of Villanueva on September 22, 1702 to treat poor women who had nowhere to go.  The letter begged him to consider this hospice as an official Spanish hospital.  His Majesty granted his request, thus the title of Hospital Santo Tomás—HST.

In 1819, new facilities were built to replace the original HST.   This new building was built on Avenida B . The new hospital began to treat men after the San Juan de Dios Hospital was closed.

On September 1, 1924, a new complex of buildings was built at the present location, on Avenida Balboa under the administration of President Belisario Porras who wanted to give his country a modern hospital.

The hospital was built on five hectares of land of which three were buildings, streets, sidewalks, and parkings and the remaining two hectares were used as gardens.

The political opposition of President Porras criticized the proyect, calling it a “white elephant” because they said it was too big for a small country. Time gave President Porras vindication, as 30 years later when he was sick, he couldn’t find a bed in the hospital, so he had to go to a private hospital where he died in 1942.

The hospital that people said was an exaggeration, couldn’t handle the demand of sick people of Panama when it was built. Even today, the HST is often called “the white elephant”, but not in a disrespective manner.

Below are several pictures of this regal building which is one of the most respected icons of Panama.  Here we go.

 

Artistic photograph of Hospital Santo Tomás located in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

The archiecture style is similar to the buildings of the former Panama Canal Zone. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A closer view of the majestic building of Santo Tomás Hospital on the Balboa Avenue in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

 

Even though this is a recent picture, the black and white colors create the impression it's an old photograph. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

A closer view of the structure with its gorgeous white columns. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

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Building of the Attorney General of the Administration

Photograph of the building that houses the Attorney General of the Administration in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This structure has a rich history.  It dates back to the Golden Age of president Dr. Belisario Porras.  Initially it was the headquarters of the former Palace of Fine Arts inaugurated on February 6, 1916 for the National Fair of Panama under the leadership of Dr. Belisario Porras, whose vision and determination made possible the completion of this magnificent building project.

The Palace of Fine Arts, was part of a complex built on a rural farm called “El Hatillo”, formerly owned by the Hurtado family to celebrate Panama’s National Exposition, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Discovery of the South Sea, by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Administration has its origins in 1943 when the then National Assembly issued Law No. 135 of April 30, 1943 to create the Administrative Court that the Constitution of Panama  had institutionalized in 1941.

The Office of  the Attorney General of the Administration has nationwide jurisdiction like the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office, which heads the Public Ministry, and has its own administrative and financial organization.

By the nature of its  powers, this office enjoys full functional independence. In addition, it can perform the duties of the Attorney General in his absence.  As such, the Attorney General of the Administration has the same status, privileges and rights as  the justices of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General and Ministers of State.

It’s possible that this regal building will become home of a national museum to collect historical treasures of the rich history of Panama.  Good Day.

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A Christmas Bazaar With Mayín Correa

Omaira Correa, better known as Mayín Correa, is a very well known politician and journalist in Panama.  She was a controversial political figure several years ago, when she held the position of Mayoress of Panama City.  Even through she was involved in several embarrassing situations, she also demonstrated to be a tireless public servant.  During her administration of five years,  she successfully completed the following public projects:

• Mi Pueblito Project
• Panama Chinatown Project
• The Restoration of the Municipal Building at Casco Viejo
• The Annual Christmas Parade

I’m quite sure there were other projects which got underway under her supervision, but they have slipped my mind.  Mayín’s capacity to generate enthusiasm amongst her collaborators is legendary.

President Ricardo Martinelli designated Ms Correa as Governor of the Province of Panama shortly after he was elected.  At such an early stage of her term, she is already showing her worth.  Recently, she inaugurated a Christmas Bazaar at the Governor’s House to spread the Christmas spirit.  She also restored her office to its earlier splendor and have plans to transform it into a public museum.

On December 8, 2009, which by the way was Mother’s Day in Panama, my wife and our inseparable grandnephews went to visit the Christmas Bazaar.  We departed with high expectations.  We were in for a surprise.  When we got there, the place was almost deserted.  Only a few bazaars were opened due to the national holiday.  Anyway, we were able to walk around the place and enjoy the lighted palm trees and the well-decorated building of the Governor’s House.

Needless to say I had towed my Birthday camera, and without hesitation, shot a couple of picture to capture the moment.  This is what we saw at Mayin’s Christmas Bazaar.  Here we go.

Carol, Aura and Abdiel show off their white teeth to the camera. This trio is inseparable. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

Picture of Carol posing for the camera in front of a pale-blue-lighted palm tree at Mayín's Christmas Bazaar. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

Isabel is busy cooking her "Carne en Palitos" and sausages at her post, while her son watches nearby. "Carne en Palitos" is one of Panama's favorite food served during countryside fairs, baseball, soccer, and boxing matches. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

Carol and Abdiel are dwarfed by the huge monument dedicated to President Belisario Porras, one of the most beloved presidents in the country's history. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

My wife Aura joins the fun under President's Porras elegant monument. As you can see, the structure follows the architectural style of the Classical Greeks. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

Photograph of the nicely-decorated building of the Governor's House in Panama City, Panama. I observed several large-sized angels holding soft white veils floating in the wind. I loved it. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)

After a short while—about half an hour—we left the lonely place, since there was nothing else to do or see.  Abdiel suggested we go and see the Christmas decorations at Parque Omar. We unanimously seconded the motion and left for more adventures at Parque Omar. That will be covered in tomorrow’s post.  Good Day.

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